The Allegory of Gold

Anselm Kiefer’s first solo exhibition in Greece is currently on view at Gagosian Athens, marking a significant moment in the artist’s career. Entitled Anselm Kiefer, the show presents new and recent works that explore themes of creation, metamorphosis and the cyclical nature of existence. The exhibition, which runs until the end of this week, showcases artist’s signature landscapes that combine myth, history and the natural world, highlighting the interplay of gold with other materials such as oil paint, shellac, straw and fabric.

Highlights include Cosenza (2023), which depicts a rocky outcrop off the coast of Italy, rendered in vibrant gold against the dark hues of the Mediterranean. Another highlight is Spes Vana (Empty Hope) (2021), a photograph printed on a gilded panel that recalls the shipwreck scenes of the German Romantic artist Caspar David Friedrich. The painting Nehebkau (1993-2023) refers to the ancient Egyptian deity and incorporates straw, terracotta and gold leaf to juxtapose material presence with transcendental motifs. In addition, the sculpture Ignis Sacer (2014) features scattered flakes of gold among stalks of wheat, symbolising both sacred connotations and the medieval disease ergotism, which was seen as divine punishment.

Through these works, Kiefer explores the complex relationship between humanity and nature, offering a profound reflection on the fragility and resilience of life.